1. Session I: Men Leading in the Home

2.  Background ◦ Hezekiah followed his father, Ahaz, who was a wicked king in Judah. ◦ Ahaz led the people to worship idols and false gods, even sacrificing his children in the fire. ◦ Ahaz shut the doors of the temple and stopped the worship of the Lord God. ◦ When Ahaz died Hezekiah became the King of Judah.

3.  II Kings 18-20 and II Chronicles 29-32 ◦ II Kings 18:2 - He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. ◦ II Kings 18:3 - He did what was right in the eyes of the L ORD, just as his father David had done.  Crushed idol worship  Reinstituted worship of the Lord God  Led the people of Judah to repent and follow the Lord

4. ◦ II Kings 18:5-7a - Hezekiah trusted in the L ORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the L ORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the L ORD had given Moses. And the L ORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.

5.  The Bible records two weaknesses that brought the downfall of Hezekiah and the destruction of his home and family: ◦ Arrogance (Pride) ◦ Apathy

6.  Hezekiah’s Arrogance Exposed ◦ The Illness (II Kings 20:1-11) ◦ The Envoy from Babylon (II Kings 20:12-13)  II Chronicles 32:31 - But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.

7.  II Kings 20:14-19 - Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, ‘What did those men say, and where did they come from?’ ‘From a distant land,’ Hezekiah replied. ‘They came from Babylon.’ 15 The prophet asked, ‘What did they see in your palace?’ ‘They saw everything in my palace,’ Hezekiah said. ‘There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.’

8. 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the L ORD : 17 the time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the L ORD. 18 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ 19 ‘The word of the L ORD you have spoken is good,’ Hezekiah replied. For he thought, ‘Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?’

9.  An Ongoing Problem for Hezekiah ◦ II Chronicles 32:24-26 – In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the L ORD, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. 25 But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the L ORD ’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the L ORD ’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah. ◦ God Tested Hezekiah in 32:31

10.  The Source of Hezekiah’s Pride ◦ He succeeded in everything he did (II Kings 18:7) ◦ He was “highly regarded by all the nations” (II Chron. 32:23) ◦ He had “great riches and honor” (II Chron. 32:27) ◦ He acquired great numbers of flocks and herds (II Chron. 32:29) ◦ God answered his prayer for healing

11.  Pride: ◦ An excessively high opinion of oneself. ◦ Putting one’s thoughts, opinions, and self-esteem ahead of God.  Pride confronts all men. It is not necessary to have great riches, great accomplishments, or a great reputation.

12.  Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.  Proverbs 29:23 - Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.  I Peter 5:5-6 - clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Isaiah 66:2(b) - ‘These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

13. Pride/Arrogance, in part, cost Hezekiah his kingdom, his home, and his family.

14.  II Kings 20:18-19 – ‘And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ‘The word of the L ORD you have spoken is good,’ Hezekiah replied. For he thought, ‘Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?’  He just didn’t’ care – as long as bad things didn’t come in his lifetime!

15.  The Source of Apathy: ◦ Lack of Focus/Becoming Overwhelmed ◦ Lack of Energy ◦ Lack of Values Apathy, in part, cost Hezekiah his kingdom, his home, and his family.

16. #1 – He lost his Riches/Family Fortune  II Kings 24:10-13 - At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it, 11 and Nebuchadnezzar himself came up to the city while his officers were besieging it. 12 Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his attendants, his nobles and his officials all surrendered to him. In the eighth year of the reign of the king of Babylon, he took Jehoiachin prisoner. 

17. (II Kings 24:10-13 Continued) 13 As the L ORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed the treasures from the temple of the L ORD and from the royal palace, and cut up the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the L ORD.

18. #2 – He lost his Relatives/Family Members  II Kings 24:15 - Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the prominent people of the land.

19. #3 – He lost his Religion/Family Worship  II Chronicles 36:18-19 – [Nebuchadnezzar] carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the L ORD ’s temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. 19 They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there.

20. Hezekiah sacrificed his home, his family, his financial legacy, and his family’s religious practice for the sake of his pride and apathy. It can happen to us!

21. Session I: Men Leading in the Home

22. Session II: Men Leading in the Church

23. We’re looking for a few good men.

24.  Is brought in by a “few good men.”  Jesus said, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14)  God is looking for a few good men.  Acts 11:24 says Barnabas was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith…”

25.  Acts 4:32-37 - All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there was no needy person among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 

26. (Acts 4:32-37 Continued) 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

27. Barnabas was a man of GIFTS: He gave physical gifts He demonstrated Spiritual Gifts I will use the word GIFTS to describe Barnabas and to challenge men to be leaders in the church.

28.  G enerous – Acts 4:37 ◦ Sold a field and gave the money to help those in need.  Contrast with Ananias and Sapphira  “Good men are remembered for what they give away, not for what they keep for themselves.”

29.  G enerous  I nspirational – Acts 4:36  Name was Joseph, but the apostles called him “Son of Encouragement/Inspiration.”  Examples: ◦ Acts 9:26-28 – Paul ◦ Acts 11:19-23 – The Church at Antioch ◦ Acts 15:36-39 – John Mark

30.  G enerous  I nspirational  F air-minded – Acts 11:22 says, “ News of [the conversion of the Greeks] reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.” 

31.  Jesus had told his disciples that they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), but they were skeptical when the gospel was proclaimed and accepted by non-Jews.  This controversy continued in Acts 15 and Barnabas was part of the resolution (v.12): ◦ The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

32.  G enerous  I nspirational  F air-minded  T rustworthy – Acts 11:29-30 says, “ The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.”

33.  G enerous  I nspirational  F air-minded  T rustworthy  S hepherd (Pastor) – He was serious about his responsibility for those under his care. 

34.  Acts 11:23-26 - When he arrived [in Antioch] and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

35.  His actions in Antioch demonstrate a genuine care and concern for the people: ◦ He wanted them to have the best teaching/preaching possible, so he brought Paul – and there was no ministerial jealousy. ◦ He accepted responsibility for discipling them. He did not try to do everything himself, but shared the responsibility for ministry. (See II Timothy 2:2)

36.  G enerous  I nspirational  F air-minded  T rustworthy  S hepherd Valuable characteristics for any man.

37. Session II: Men Leading in the Church

38. Session III: Men Leading in Their Work

39. #1 – The Relationship Principle  Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. ◦ Accountability ◦ A lesson from yardwork ◦ Find a godly friend (or be a godly friend) in your job

40. #2 – The Reward Principle  Proverbs 27:18 – Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. ◦ Reward comes through Investment (examples: gardening, retirement fund, prayer and Bible study) ◦ Reward comes through Service. Mark 10:41-45 

41.  Mark 10:41-45 - When the ten heard about [James and John’s request], they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

42.  Not just for church!!!

43. #3 – The Reflection Principle  Proverbs 27:19 - As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.  What is really in a man’s heart will show up in his life.  Jesus said it this way: You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. (Matthew 7:16-18)

44. Consider: Do you believe that your life is a true reflection of your heart? Or Do people know what is in your heart by what they see of your life?

45. #4 – The Refraining Principle  Proverbs 27:20 - Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man. ◦ Literally “Sheol and Abbadon” (Hell and Destruction) ◦ Our flesh is never satisfied. ◦ In Christ we can find contentment.  An excellent memory verse to give victory over sins of the eyes (such as jealousy, lust, covetousness, a critical spirit, etc.).

46. #5 – The Refining Principle  Proverbs 27:21 - The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.  We are tested by praise: ◦ By who praises us and for what ◦ By how we react when we are praised

47. Session III: Men Leading in Their Work